Blessed Christmas

The thaw has begun. Thank heaven. Jason and Kate and kids came early. Andre and Rose made it but got stuck for an hour in the drive way. Then David got his car stuck helping them. Jessica called and we had such a nice talk with the joyous laughter of the Verburg family game in the background. All made it home with bags of food and goodies. It was a wonderful day.
Gifts were to be from our heart and time given. Not to be money driven. Andre is giving me a manual for use of this instrument I am using. Jason gave me my new website email and his management of same. I don't even understand all it entails but it is exciting. We will meet soon and figure out how I want it to look.
The new year will find me trying to figure it all out and hopefully selling on line through my gallery. YEAH!

Merry Christmas to all

We are ready.Jason ,Kate, Lauren and Ashton are here
Andrew and Rose will be here tomorrow.
Godbless and best wishes to all.

Brrrrrrrrr!!!!!! and more

The ice is hung by the chimney with care. In hopes that the family soon will be here.

The Shop is Closed

Santa is on his way. I am so glad the shows are over for the winter.

Hello!!! More Snow!!!

Help! I am from California.

more snow

More pictures of the view..... trapped in wonderland!

Snow Day

Well.... More than one snow day! That leaves me time to clean , eat and struggle with my computer.

I would like to thank the great artists I met this last weekend. I met Alex ie. cecily ink and Teri ie. 2Monkees, at the Christmas mkt. place. Teri I found out is in Theo's in the Pearl and Ihad read about cecily ink before. THey invited me to an artisan holiday sale. Long story .... what a lovely group of ladies!!! I had met Amy from Candywinkle ie. Goosey Press at Wilow Nest in the past. I have bought wholesale from Peggy ie. pflynn Designs. She has a gift with mixing scents and is in alot of great stores. There is Julie ie. Fuzzbags who makes the greatest felt bags and fun items. I could have spent hours just talking to them but they were there to sell and had a good crowd. After MY shopping we all promised to stay in touch and I look forward to that!

excited!

I just returned from the show in Lake Oswego and want to say how excited I am to have met so many new people and reconected with old acquaintances from Willow Nest days. Iwill up load picture of Londen/ Camden Mkt. etc. for all those who bought the wonderfull felted bracelets. I thought they were wonderful and am so glad others found them so. I will also blog about the trip England.

I so want to thank those who support my creative endvours and encourage me to continue on with challange called blogging! The computer is a true and new challange for me and I will persavere!!!!!! More to come!

This is My shell madonna shrine. It is un the window at THea's in the Pearl. Come see!

Christmas Market

The Christmas market is this Saturday and Sunday. Herein Lake Oswego at the West End Building. Such a crazy holiday shopping season. I do look forward to meeting all the buyers and shoppers. For me this is the ending to Withies holiday preparations. Now I can begin to think of new ideas for the coming year. As usual I have so many projects I have been wanting to try.

At Thea's in the Pearl

Thanksgivig past. Christmas next.

A thought for us all

This came at the end of an Email. Oh so true. I take time for these little thoughts. They come from the people I love and provide me the means to send a little thought to those same.
Life may not be the party we hoped for,but while we are here we might as well DANCE.
Rember this was at the end of a story. I had to read the whole thing!!!!!!

Things changing

There are so many changes ! I know you say....And so? I know but it has just struck me that

the seasons change and I seem able to watch with amazement and wonder. I however am not as passively peacefull watch my life and family as they pass through their changes and seasons.

I have realized they are growing and must cast off and change like the trees, flowers and the other elements of nature. All this to reach the next phase of beautiful growth. Nothing stays the same and so it shouldn't. Even my babies and their babies. I want and am learning to watch as they struggle. much the same as the garden spider on the deck. Idon't ge too envolved as he or she struggles,falls ,rebuilds and doesn't panic as I ruin his or her work. I want that same calm witnessing to all life. I am learning to trust my angels and trust they have thiers.

This picture came up with the memories of ny dear friend, our seasons past, and yes again CHANGES. All for the good all for the growing toward the life they were meant to live but Iam aware of the missing[Ludmils birthday] Linda's Thanksgiving thought. Good times all! Not gone just changed and building a new web.

So much has changed in the world in general. I am readying myself for a Christmas sale when Christmas has been at 50% off in the stores. Hellooooo! What is wrong with this picture. Iam however the spider who must create! Ihave and will be selling ant the Lake Oswego Christmas Sale. My net must after be woven. thank you all who take time from youre busy building to read this. May the grace and peace of observation decend on you as well.

surprise

I took chance and uploaded a picture. I have not had a chance to tag[note a computer word] all my pictures so.........this is the one that surprised me. I do love this. The sunflowers were all volunteers this year and thus they were a gift. Some grew well over 8 feet tall and I stood beneath them ans watched the bees. Later the finches hung on the undersides to pick the ripe seeds. Such a treat. the whole garden was heavy with flowers, and life.

Now things have passed their seasons the vast amounts of leaves are falling in swirls. I love to watch the leaves fall. I love to be in the wind and feel them light on me like snow.However it is far less romantic to have to be raking them into recycle bins and asking the neighbors to use theirs.

Back to romantic thoughts......... I think I like this surprising myself!

Dear Friends

Oh my! I just saw my dear friends new blog and shop. Linda and Ludmil at the new Willow Nest in Texas . I wish Icould have been there. The blogging world no doubt knows them well. I am so glad to see the magic continue and spread, like her beautiful glitter. Texas is being glittered and Ludmilized. sigh...........

I was thinking about our visit to Stonehenge. I was not enthusiastic at first, afraid it would be too tourist ridden. To my continued amazement it was wonderful ! The Salisbury plains are vast even though the traffic flows past. The day was windy and cloudy. I was untroubled by the people and enjoyed the ancient stones and the history we listened to in our little ear bugs. They have done an amazing job saving the sight for what hopes to be many generations. It had a mystical air about it ,even with the tourists and care takers[seeding the lawns]. I don't want to go into the history here but hope anyone who might read this will read more and be as fascinated as David and I . Things are continuing to be discovered about this wonderful place. I came away with such feelings of gratefulness and appreciation for those who take on the job of protecting these historical sights and truly honor those who take on the task.

We joined the National Trust . I so wish we worked as hard in our cities ,saving our simple buildings and houses. I guess you can tell I ,am so glad to have seen Stonehenge. To have not been too jaded to seek out this magical mystical place.

I hope someone will enjoy these. I feel like a kid when I see someone has visited my little world. I only hope to be able to share so many picture of places and eventually my art. I am busy with Christmas for the local show and will take picture at Thea's next week. I am planing a tree with crystals I have been collecting ; Italy, France and England. They will be necklaces some day but fun to put on trees this year.

Oh to be in England!

More........

More.......

Another

Memories......

More Withies

It seems I must do a new post for each picture.... enjoy

New Pictures of The Withies

I have been engrossed in memories of England! It seems to me it is so much more fun and fantasy, when I can call upon my memories as I read about the the places ,gardens and buildings I have already been to. I wish I could revisit them after reading all the wonderfull histories. The years; 11th ,12th centuries and into the Elizebethan,Victorian,Edwardian etc. are so fascinating. History is so much more fun as one ages adn can begin to see things in a continuu m.

Back to the pictures......... Iam hoping t be able to post a gallery of them. Andrew is helping me investigate a new blog medium. Well shall we see??????

snip-snip

I am taking a break! I am making paper hat ornements to take to Thea's for Christmas. I haven't made these this year but did a lot for the store"Urbino" I enjoy making paper anything....these are made from old Opera libretos. I think I'll make some cones with the large print pieces. What I would like to do is get this computer figured out so I can download more than one picture. I send this out to the universe........question...... Is there a better blog spot than google? I see other blogs that don't seem to have my problems. I guess I should email everyone I know seeing as no reads this blog!!!!!!!! SIGH!!!!

pumpkins on porches

I do love this time of year. The colors seem to glow from within! The fireplace is ready to be set ablaze. It is hard t o imagine Linda and Ludmil in Texas in 80 degree weather. I will say ,it is harder to get out from under the covers and Eva my fat cat is curled under them with me.

The garden is being cleaned layer by layer. There is still amazing color from the asters, hardy cyclamens, and the last of the hollyhocks. The roses are still budding but our friend the deer is feasting on the last of the buds. When I am up at night I hope to catch a glimpse of him or them but haven't as of yet. I can tell when "she" has been in the yard. The squirrels are fast digging up the plants I have just planted. I guess the ground is softer there. Smart and lazy little buggers. the wild finches and the blue jays are cleaning the seed out of the giant sunflowers. Yes, the garden is changing seasons.

I love seeing the pumpkins and ghosts come out onto the front porches. I am packing fun little bags for the gouls and princesses. The weather looks as if it will be chilly so costumes will be hidden under warm coats. The memories! Jason was a ghost for more years than I want to remember. White sheets are hard to come by now. Cut some eyes add a tie and there you have it. Jessica was a gypsy[moms scarves and jewelery]. Andrew was power rangers[green] I remember fondly.
I hope to get a gallery on this sweet little blog. In the midst of all this gardening and remenissing I am busy working and creating. I am taking things to Thea's in the Pearl and Christmas must be completed soon.

the learning curve

I am so glad Andrew is coming for awhile to help with the blog changes. It was so nice to pick up a copy of creative blogging and hear that others have challenges with the computer. One such

blogger could have been my comp-uter soul sister. It was so good to know I am not alone.

I will be taking things to Barn House this week. I Love all my old comrades. Not doing very many shows and travelling has me out of touch.

I love looking at my England pictures. I am going to attempt to add some here. I am also learning to use spell check. Oh my gosh am I bad!

So much to learn..... so much I want to do.

Home again

Well I am glad to be home. My heart i s still in England. I realized my love of all things English. I must have beenthere in " some" life. It was so like Oregon. I remember feeling as if I had come home when we moved here. The gardens we not at ther peak but David and I could and recognize and picture in ou r mind's eyethe it would be with things in bloom. It is wonderfull without the throngs of tourists.

Iam so anxious to get my pictures into my computer. We found "The Withies Inn" and had lunch there. It , like so many inns and pubs have been refurbished. Having been there 25 yrs. ago......so many things the same.......so many things changed. Alot more cars. That is another time. At least we surrived the left hand driving, roundabouts and the hedgerows. Again another time.

Fall is truely here. My favorite time of year. Iwill be getting ready for the sale at Barn House

found " The Withies Inn" again. It has been refreshed and renewed like so many of the inns and pubs. Oh the age of things. The energy of time and people passed is so evident

Leaving London for the country

Another busy day in London town. We went to Wesminster Abby.and walk ed amoung British roalty[deceased of course]. IT IS AN AMMAZING PIECE OF HISTORY. The Poets corner always make my heart leap. Too many to mention here but think of any English author or poet, actor or playright and the are remembered there. It is amazing to see the tombs o all the kings and queens, princes and religous. i don't need ot go on..........
I am looking forward to the quiet of the country and seeing natural geen. Parks are nice but I guess I miss my garden. I even find myself collecting pidgeon feathers to make something.
i didn't have the coursge to enter a cyber cafe but I am back at the hotel and soooooo tired.

amazing !

What a busy and csmopolitan city. We went to Camden mkt. yesterday....Saturday mkt. on steroids plus. the stall of modern funkclothes and music all in a wonderful area called The Stables. Every kind of food from every corner of the world! then on to the Tate museum to see Turner exibit et al. Beautifull. Dinner was in a charming resturant with gilt and velvet every where. Opera themed and even served diners in opera boxes all in small scale. It wa so enchanting and over the top at the same time.

Yesterday we wer on Portobello road......again masses of people. The stall re so small and cramed in tiny alleys. It would take weeks to see it all. I did find a booth with wonder full ribon scraps. I am going o sew them to French rebbon and make bracelets. OF COURSE lots od fun findin things for necklaces and always on the lookou for paper scrap. Snipits of wonderfull things I can carry home.

The tube is getting easier every day I sure wish we had such a system. Again PEOPLE all going places. I prefer the buses so I can get a feel of where we are in the city.

England is here and well.

Well here I am on the other side of the pond. her I am struggling witha nother computer. We found Bermondsy market and already made purchase. London has changed since we were here about 24 years ago. On today to Portobello road. David to do museums me to brouse and take pictres. Found a wonderfill market Buroughs yesterday. Cheerio for now. DAY ONE OF COMPUTER CHALLANGE COMPLET ED. OR NOT PICTURES A BUST. SORRY

Ready..Set...Go!

My work shop is set to rights. Projects are set away. Thinking about Barn House Harvest celebration will wait 'till I return. I have enjoyed getting this blog put together with Andrew's help. It is great being taught by ones children. I guess that's true in life as well as with computers.

I'm off in search of internet cafes and to upload pictures.......

"You only live once-but if you do it right,once is enough."

Frank Sinatra

leaving the nest

It is always stressfull getting ready to go on vacation. I miss my yard I miss my cats and yes I miss my nest. Idon't get very excited 'till all my ducks are in,shall we say a row. The weather is warm and wonderfull. I would like a promise of two days of rain a week. Maybe the leaves could wait for my return before turning their glorious shades of Autumn and Ihope there will be one last bloom of roses,when we come home.

the beginning

Along time comming. I have been so anxious to have my space to visit. We are leaving for England on wednesday and I have wanted tobe able to blog while on our trip. It has been 24 years since we were there. it has been more than 30 years since I first visited and discover the pub called "The Withies" in Compton, Surrey. Obviously it was tohave a profound part in my creative life. I hope to send pictures but have googled and found it. You see as slow as I am at this electronic medium ,I am also fascinated by what it has to offer.

So here I go!!!! I will keep the faith and a record of my journey, hopefully with photos.